He bod end connection



' March 5, 1935. E. K. BAKER Re. 19,482

T! W ROD END CONNECTION Uriginnl Filed June 26, 1930 W. 3 MM Reissued Mar. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIE ROD END CONNECTION .i'le K. Baker, Ann Arbor, Micln, assignor to Baker Axle Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a, corporation of Ohio 2 Claims. (Cl. 287-672) This invention relates to improvements in tie rod end connections and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and efiicient structure whereby the end of a rod is provided with means for connection to an associated arm or member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a.structure of this kind especially adapted for use as the tie rod for automobiles whereby the ends of the same are provided with means for connection with the associated steering knuckle arms. r

A further object of the invention is to provide a connection of this kind, which costs less to make when labor and material is considered and which though lighter in weight than the connections now used, has greater strength to resist fracture and breakage.

These objects of the invention as well as others together with the many advantages thereof will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification. a

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a rod end connection embodying the preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the same with parts shown as broken away to more clearly disclose the construction thereof.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the same as taken on the line 33 of .Fig. 2. r

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and illustrates a slightly modified form of construction.

Referring now in detail to' that embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive of the accompanying drawing, 1 indicates as a whole one end of a tie rod of an automobile and 2 indicates a head whereby said rod end may be operatively connected to an associated steering knuckle arm, not shown-- Preferably the rod is made from a length of tubing although a solid rod construction with tubular ends is well adapted for the purpose.

Heretofore in such tie rod connectionsthe ends of the rod were exteriorly threadedto receive a longitudinally split, interiorly threaded extension on the head, which head and extension were usually made from a forging, the extension having pairs of integral ears to receive the clamping bolts to secure the parts in adjusted relation. Such a structure had inherent objections. As the extension enclosed the rod end. it is apparent The head 2 comprises a housing in which a stud 5 is mounted for limited universal movement the latter being arranged for connection to the desired associated part such as a knuckle arm (not shown). This housing includes a boss 6 at one side together with a lateral extension or stud 'l of desired length. Said boss is exteriorly screw threaded as at 8 for engagement with the interior threads 3 of the tubular rod endand the end of the stud near the boss is left exteriorly smooth to fit in the smooth interior extremity of the rod end.

Before the extension or stud 7 is threaded into the rod end, I slip on said end, a split clamp 9 that includes an annular body or band 10 and laterally spaced ears 1111. Preferably andas herein shown the clamp is formed from sheet metal. The said clamp substantially surrounds the tube end at a point midway of the slot 4 thereon and the spacebetween the ears of the clamp is registered with said slot. 01' course, a bolt 12 is associated with the ears of the clamp and a nut 13 is threaded on the end of the bolt.

After the extension orstud 7 ofth'e head has been threaded into the rod end, the nut l3is drawn up on the bolt to cause the clamp to tightly grip the tube upon the extension.

In Fig. 4 is illustrated a slightly modified form of construction wherein the extremity 1 of the tubular end is radially expanded so that the interior diameter thereof is increased permitting of the use ofan annular shoulder 7" on the extension or stud to project into the same. This eliminates the necessity of machining the interior of the tube end as in Fig. 2 to receive the smooth unthreaded exterior portionof theextension 7 near the boss 6. shown in Fig. 4, it is advisable to first apply the clamp 9 thereto and then expand the extremity 1* and thereafter provide the slot 4 therein.

The construction above described has many advantages in that not only is the connection reduced in weight but it may be produced at a lower cost and has a greater resistance toward In making up the structure ing an externally threaded shank disposed at an angleto the normal axis of the stud in said housing, a tie rod having an internally threaded end to receive said shank, said tie rod end having a longitudinally split portion and thereby formed so as to be radially contractible about said shank and a split ring surrounding said tie rod end for clamping said tie rod end upon said housing shank.

2. In a tie rod end connection, the combination of a housing containing a stud adapted tor a limited universal movement therein, said housing having an externally threaded shank integral therewith, a tiered internally threaded and iongitudinally split at the end and adapted to be adjustably connected to said shank, and a split clamping ring surrounding said end of the tie rod for clamping it upon said housing shank.

ERLE K. BAKER. 

